What Color Shoes to Wear with a Red Dress (day)

Dear Shoe Lady,
I’ve got a red knee length Karen Millen dress and want to know what color shoes are best to go with it. I have worn it for a wedding and wore silver shoes and silver bag but was wondering if nude shoes would go? Black looked too hard and red seem too much. What do you think?
Thanks,
Jody

Dearest Jody,
As much as it pains me to say this, you don’t need me. You understand perfectly what to wear.
But, since you asked……

Nude shoes usually mean a beige tone shoe. Without seeing the dress, I would not go there. That is a color, more a daytime, business wear color.
Although, here is a beige shoe that might work with the right accessories for a daytime occasion:

Samanta Covington Preto at DesignerShoes.com

Covington by Samanta is a High Heel Dressy Pump

I would not do black pumps or red pumps.

I WOULD do shades of silver, like pewter.

Bella Vita Entertain Ii Pewter at DesignerShoes.com

Entertain Ii by Bella Vita is a Mid Heel Dressy Pump

or

Dyeables Opal Pewter Metallic at DesignerShoes.com

Opal by Dyeables is a Mid Heel Dressy Sandal

I WOULD do CLEAR sandals. Here is a way out example of a high heel platform mule.

Ellie Vanity Clear at DesignerShoes.com

Vanity by Ellie is a High Heel Dressy Slide

(Note: Do make sure you are fully insured before wearing these!)

I WOULD do a nearly naked little black patent sandal for less dressy occasions. Here’s a low heel T-strap sandal from Annie:

Annie Sunup Black Patent at DesignerShoes.com

Sunup by Annie is a Low Heel Dressy Sandal

Simple rule:
Dress up: Silver or pewter.
Dress down: black patent sandal or clear.

Corollary rule:
Rules are made to be broken… when you find the right shoe and accessorize!

The Shoe Lady

Converting Euro Size 44 to a US Size

Dear Shoe Lady,
I’m living in Netherlands and my size is 44 but I don’t know which size should I order. I chose 3 sandals.

Dear Moska,
You have come to the right place. We know enough about shoe sizes to know that we can not trust a “44” size sold in the Netherlands. It just might include a French made shoe and the French, somewhat perversely, do not always follow the measurement conventions for a size 44 Euro.

So we always go back to your foot as the key source of information. Look at this chart: http://www.designershoes.com/size-chart

If your foot does fit a typical Euro 44, it will be about 27.3 CM long. Euro sizes do not come in different widths. But USA size do. We find that the Euro sizes run a little bit wider than the USA “Medium” widths. You will need to select the best width for your foot. In order to assess this correctly, I STRONGLY suggest that you follow closely the instructions for measuring your feet. A little difference can mean a lot in determining the right size. I also suggest you read one of the articles about shoe width to help you determine what width is best for you.

The brands you select are all very different. Dyeables has the most experience with building consistent sizes on a variety of different dressy styles. Ellie specializes in a specific niche – fun, highly attention getting high heels. Montaege is a new brand so they don’t have a lot of experience but our customers do seem to like the fit.

If you are a size 44 Euro, you will be a size 12 USA. Lucky for you! When you shop at DesignerShoes.com you are shopping at the ONLY shoe store in the world that promises you…. we will not even carry a shoe style unless it comes, at LEAST, to size 12!

Aerosoles Blind Date Tan Leather at AskTheShoeLady.com

Blind Date by Aerosoles is a High Heel Casual Slide

Do your reading lesson. Measure your feet. Write again if you have any questions. Be prepared to shop!

Best to you!
The Shoe Lady

Fitting shoes for me – Quality Matters!

Q: Dear Shoe Lady, i LOVE the samanta viv pump in beige and the ellie black 8400, my foot measures 28 and a half cm long by 10.25 cm wide using your measuring guide. what sizes should i look for in these shoes? thank you!

Samanta Viv Pump Beige at DesignerShoes.com

Viv Pump by Samanta is a High Heel Dressy Pump

Ellie 8400 Black at DesignerShoes.com

8400 by Ellie is a High Heel Dressy Pump

A: My Dear Isobel,
You sexy thing. You should be looking at a USA size 14. It sounds like you have a relatively narrow foot so you may need to add an inner sole to keep these pumps pumping. The Viv Pump runs on the wide side. I believe the Ellie 8400 is a good medium.

I hope that answers the “fit” questions. But please keep in mind there is a HUGE difference in the quality and styling detail for these shoes. The Viv Pump by Samanta is in a “couture” class, using premium materials, comfort features and styling like the hidden platform. The Viv Pump is all leather and is a shoe for your lifetime. Ellie is meant to be a special occasion shoe to get you noticed but don’t expect a lot of hard ware. It is a fun HIGH heel, but it is not leather.

The Shoe Lady

Valentine’s Day Shoes

Dear Shoe Lady,

I’ve been married for over 10 years but I really want to spice things up this Valentine’s Day!! I already have the perfect dress — it’s a classic LBD — so can you recommend perfect red shoes?

Happy V-Day!
Kirsten

Kirsten,

It’s hard to go wrong when you have a Little Black Dress to work with, but I’d love to recommend some of my favorite vibrant reds pairs. That being said, I’m not sure if you’re looking for high heels or not, so I’ve included a pair of flats I like as well.

ellie-brande-red-w-black DesignerShoes.com

ellie-brande-red-w-black DesignerShoes.com

sofft-gabriela-red-patent-2 DesignerShoes.com

sofft-gabriela-red-patent-2 DesignerShoes.com

trotters-carin-dk-red DesignerShoes.com

trotters-carin-dk-red DesignerShoes.com